Arts Center has new classes starting this month

May 3, 2013

New classes and workshops begin this month at the Randolph County Community Arts Center. Information and descriptions about late spring and summer classes and events are available online at www.randolpharts.org.

Anyone interested in pottery can visit 1 Park Street Pottery Studio from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays through June 8, when the Arts Center offers a half-day workshop series in pottery to high school students and adults. The first class is free to new students. Each session will focus on a specific area of pottery.

Children in kindergarten through fifth grade can explore pottery in the class "April Showers, May Flowers." Jennifer Wagoner will lead students in creating fantastical garden-themed projects such as gnomes, planters, garden mushrooms and plant markers. Basic hand building skills will be introduced and developed. The class will meet from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays for six weeks, starting May 14.

Another class will feature Wagoner as well, when she helps students explore "Bookbinding: Advanced Structures." The class is open to teens and adults. It will meet for six weeks from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, and it starts May 6. Structures will include multiple decorative long-stitch binds, tunnel books, carousel books, puzzle books, basic pop-ups, Jacob's ladder and hard slipcases. Students will leave each class with the knowledge of how to re-create the structure demonstrated, as well as a book in hand.

Akiko Endo will offer two workshops in origami: "Mother's Day Origami Workshop" on Saturday and "Paper Lantern Workshop" on May 18. Each workshop runs from noon to 3 p.m. Endo's "Mother's Day" workshop offers instructions in making origami flowers, hearts, cards, boxes and more. Her "Paper Lantern" class teaches students how to make lanterns to decorate their homes and summer-time parties. Classes are open to teens and adults.

Derrick Helzer will offer his popular "Backyard Barbecuing Workshop," which is full of unforgettable grilling techniques for meat, seafood and vegetables. Participants will learn the grilling and smoking techniques of professional chefs. Helzer will share his recipes for rubs and marinades as well as demonstrate a variety of preparation methods. The workshop is planned for noon to 4 p.m. May 18 and is open to older teens and adults.

Additional classes begin each month. More information on classes and events is available at www.randolpharts.org or 304-637-2355.